AIR CONDITIONING EQUIPMENT AND ROOM

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an air handling device for a room of a building, comprising an air duct having an air inlet opening at one end and an air outlet opening at the other end, and an air conveying device for conveying an airflow from the air inlet opening to the air outlet opening through the air duct.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a room with such an air handling device.

[0003] Air handling devices of the type mentioned above are known from the prior art. For example, a recirculating air device typically has an air duct with an air inlet opening at one end and an air outlet opening at the other. To enable the air handling device to fulfill its intended air handling function, an air conveying device is also usually provided to convey an airflow from the air inlet opening to the air outlet opening through the air duct. The air conveying device is thus designed to convey air from outside the device through the air inlet opening into the air duct and to convey air already present in the air duct out of the device through the air outlet opening.

[0004] Air handling devices of this type, each comprising a radiation source for providing ultraviolet radiation, are known from patent applications EP 3 633 276 A1, KR 101 381 215 B1, and KR 2018 0088560 A. Further air handling devices are known from patent applications US 2007 0 297 951 A1, DE 20 2020 103 371 U1, and CN 206 320 874 U. US 2007 0 297 951 A1 discloses an air handling device with the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0005] The present invention is based on the objective of creating an air handling device that can reduce the burden of pathogens such as viruses or bacteria in the air of a room.

[0006] The problem underlying the invention is solved by an air handling device with the features of claim 1. This device has the advantage that exciters contained in the airflow are inactivated when the airflow is guided through the air duct.

[0007] Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

[0008] According to the invention, the air handling device comprises at least one radiation source for providing ultraviolet radiation, wherein the radiation source is positioned within the air duct such that the ultraviolet radiation provided by the radiation source is emitted into an irradiation section of the air duct, in particular into an irradiation section of the air duct that is limited with respect to the flow path through the air duct. It is known that high-energy radiation such as ultraviolet radiation can inactivate pathogens such as viruses or bacteria if the radiation dose exceeds a threshold value specific to the respective pathogen. The air handling device according to the invention utilizes this concept. Through the radiation source, or rather the emission of ultraviolet radiation into the irradiation section by means of the radiation source, at least some of the pathogens contained in the airflow are inactivated.As a result, the probability of people becoming infected with airborne pathogens is reduced. The air handling unit is preferably arranged in the air duct. The air handling unit is designed as an induction device or as a fan. A cross-flow fan is particularly preferred. The use of a cross-flow fan enables high volume flows with very favorable noise characteristics. Preferably, the air handling unit is designed as a recirculating air unit. Preferably, the air inlet opening, the air outlet opening, and the air handling unit are designed such that the air handling unit, when installed in a room, creates a mixing ventilation effect in the room during operation. This reduces the pathogen load in the room uniformly. In particular, the air handling unit is designed or can be used as a ceiling, floor, or wall-mounted unit.The preferably limited design of the irradiation section, viewed in the direction of airflow, particularly reduces the proportion of ultraviolet radiation that can penetrate to the outside or into the room through the inlet and / or outlet openings. Preferably, the irradiation section begins—viewed in the direction of airflow—at a distance from the air inlet opening and ends at a distance from the air outlet opening. These distances are preferably chosen such that the proportion of ultraviolet radiation penetrating to the outside is minimal. The air duct is particularly preferably designed in such a way that a direct escape of ultraviolet radiation into the environment, i.e., a direct optical connection from the irradiation source to the environment or to the room, or between the air inlet and outlet openings, is prevented.Therefore, in this case, direct irradiation of the airflow from the radiation source can preferably only occur within the irradiation section, while indirect irradiation of the airflow can also occur within the irradiation section and in adjacent sections of the air duct by reflection of the ultraviolet radiation off the duct walls. The boundary of the irradiation section is preferably realized by one or more bends, curves, and / or corners in the course of the air duct, which, for example, form a flow-through labyrinth between the irradiation section and the air inlet opening, and between the irradiation section and the air outlet opening, respectively, but one through which ultraviolet radiation cannot penetrate.Preferably, the irradiation section is limited by the course of the air duct in such a way that even indirect ultraviolet radiation, i.e., radiation transmitted via reflection within the air duct, does not or hardly escapes from the air duct into the room or from the air inlet and / or outlet opening. The air conveying device, which is preferably controllable or adjustable with regard to its performance, ensures that the airflow, and in particular the airflow velocity, can be optimally adjusted so that as many pathogens as possible are inactivated by irradiation in the irradiation section.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment, the radiation source is designed as a low-pressure UVC lamp. A UVC lamp is understood to be a radiation source that provides ultraviolet radiation with a wavelength in the range of 100 nm to 280 nm. Ultraviolet radiation in this wavelength range is particularly suitable for inactivating viruses such as influenza viruses or coronaviruses with a high degree of efficiency.

[0010] Preferably, the radiation source is arranged in the air duct such that the airflow surrounds it. The radiation source thus extends at least partially through the air duct. In this respect, the radiation source is in direct contact with the airflow passing through the air duct during operation of the air handling unit or air conveying device. This achieves a particularly high efficiency with regard to the inactivation of the exciters contained in the airflow. According to an alternative embodiment, the radiation source is arranged outside the air duct. In this case, a radiation guidance device is preferably provided, which directs the ultraviolet radiation provided by the radiation source into the irradiation section of the air duct. The radiation source is preferably rod-shaped or U-shaped.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment, the radiation source is rod-shaped. This rod-shaped or elongated design ensures a uniform distribution of radiation intensity within the irradiation area. This leads to advantageous utilization of the luminaire's power for inactivating exciters, ultimately further increasing the efficiency of inactivating exciters contained in the airflow.

[0012] Preferably, the radiation source is arranged such that a longitudinal central axis of the radiation source, which is particularly rod-shaped, is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the irradiation section. The longitudinal central axis of the radiation source is understood to be the axis that runs parallel to the longitudinal extent of the radiation source and through its center. The longitudinal extent of the irradiation section corresponds to the flow direction of the airflow guided through the air duct from the air inlet opening to the air outlet opening within the irradiation section. The longitudinal central axis of the radiation source is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal extent and thus parallel to a cross-sectional area of ​​the irradiation section.The arrangement of the radiation source described above achieves an optimal, symmetrical distribution of radiation intensity across the entire cross-sectional area of ​​the irradiation section. This further increases the efficiency of inactivating the exciters contained in the airflow. Furthermore, the presence of the radiation source ensures that no or only minimal turbulence is introduced into the airflow. Preferably, the irradiation section has a rectangular cross-section. The cross-section is defined by the width and height of the irradiation section. Preferably, the radiation source is arranged such that its longitudinal axis is aligned with the width of the irradiation section, with the length of the radiation source then preferably corresponding at least substantially to the width of the irradiation section.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, the air handling unit has at least one additional radiation source for providing ultraviolet radiation, wherein the additional radiation source is arranged in the air duct such that the ultraviolet radiation provided by the additional radiation source radiates into the irradiation section, in particular into the limited irradiation section. By providing the additional radiation source, the total amount of ultraviolet radiation provided is increased, and a particularly optimal, symmetrical radiation intensity distribution is also achieved. Features disclosed above with regard to the radiation source are preferably also implemented in the additional radiation source. It is particularly preferred that the radiation source and the additional radiation source are arranged one after the other in the direction of the airflow within the irradiation section.Particularly preferably, the additional radiation source is also rod-shaped and, for example, aligned or arranged parallel to the radiation source. Preferably, two radiation sources arranged parallel to each other are connected at their free ends or merge into one another to form the aforementioned U-shaped radiation source. According to a further embodiment, the rod-shaped radiation sources are each aligned transversely to the flow direction or longitudinal extent of the air duct in the irradiation section and transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to each other.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, at least one channel wall of the air duct in the irradiation section, and preferably all channel walls of the air duct in the irradiation section, are designed to reflect ultraviolet radiation. The channel walls of the air duct in the irradiation section are the walls that delimit the air duct in the irradiation section and thus define its cross-section. If the irradiation section has, for example, a rectangular cross-section, the air duct in the irradiation section has four channel walls. At least one channel wall of the air duct in the irradiation section is designed to reflect ultraviolet radiation and thus exhibits a reflective effect. This reflective effect further increases the efficiency of inactivating the exciters.This is due, firstly, to the fact that the reflection effect achieves a particularly optimal, symmetrical radiation intensity distribution. Furthermore, ultraviolet radiation incident on the channel wall is not lost, or only minimally lost, through absorption, but remains available to inactivate the exciters after reflection from the channel wall. Preferably, the at least one channel wall is designed to reflect at least 65%, preferably at least 90%, of the ultraviolet radiation incident on it. Preferably, the channel wall is coated with or made of an ultraviolet-reflecting material to achieve this reflection effect. The ultraviolet-reflecting material is preferably an aluminum alloy, particularly preferably anodized aluminum.If necessary, the channel wall is provided with a special coating that, for example, further increases the reflective effect of the channel wall and / or is advantageous for other properties of the channel wall, such as the corrosion resistance of the channel wall.

[0015] According to the invention, the air duct between the irradiation section and the air inlet opening has a first light trap, and the air duct between the irradiation section and the air outlet opening has a second light trap. A light trap is understood to be a section of the air duct that blocks or at least reduces the propagation of ultraviolet radiation. In this respect, a light trap has a blocking effect on ultraviolet radiation and, in particular, forms the aforementioned flowable but not irradiable labyrinth. The first light trap is arranged between the irradiation section and the air inlet opening and thus blocks or reduces the emission of ultraviolet radiation through the air inlet opening.The second light trap is positioned between the irradiation section and the air outlet opening, thus blocking or reducing the emission of ultraviolet radiation through the air outlet. By providing both the first and second light traps, the spread of ultraviolet radiation is therefore restricted to the irradiation section, protecting people in the vicinity of the air handling unit from high-energy ultraviolet radiation.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, at least one channel wall of the air duct in the region of the first light trap and / or in the region of the second light trap, and preferably all channel walls of the air duct in the region of the first light trap and / or in the region of the second light trap, are designed to absorb ultraviolet radiation. The blocking effect provided by the light traps is thus achieved or enhanced, at least partially, by the fact that the light traps have an absorption function with respect to ultraviolet radiation. Preferably, the affected channel wall absorbs at least 50%, more preferably at least 80%, and particularly preferably 100% of the ultraviolet radiation incident on the channel wall. Preferably, the channel wall is coated with an ultraviolet-absorbing material to achieve this absorption function.A surface coating that absorbs radiation is particularly preferred, for example a black surface coating. Alternatively, the channel wall is preferably made of a material that absorbs ultraviolet radiation to achieve the absorption function.

[0017] According to the invention, the air duct forming the first light trap has a first bend, and the air duct forming the second light trap has a second bend. By providing the first bend, direct emission of ultraviolet radiation through the air inlet opening—that is, emission without first striking a duct wall—is reliably prevented by simple design measures. Similarly, by providing the second bend, direct emission of ultraviolet radiation through the air outlet opening is prevented. According to the invention, both the first and second bends are 180° bends. By providing the first and second bends, the airflow is deflected in the region of the first and second light traps, respectively. Preferably, the duct wall outside the bend has a circular arc-shaped longitudinal section in the region of the first light trap.This ensures a low-turbulence airflow through the first light trap. The same preferably applies to the outer channel wall in the area of ​​the second light trap.

[0018] Preferably, the air duct between the air inlet opening and the first light trap includes an air supply chamber. When the airflow enters the air duct through the air inlet opening, it first passes into the air supply chamber before reaching the first light trap. The air supply chamber ensures a uniform flow of air into the first light trap or the irradiation section. Preferably, the air duct between the air outlet opening and the second light trap includes an air discharge chamber. When the airflow exits the second light trap, it first passes into the air discharge chamber before reaching the air outlet opening. The air discharge chamber ensures a uniform outflow of air from the second light trap or the irradiation section.

[0019] Preferably, at least one channel wall of the air duct in the area of ​​the air supply chamber is designed to absorb ultraviolet radiation. This results in the advantages already mentioned in connection with the light traps. Preferably, the channel wall is coated with or made of an ultraviolet-absorbing material to achieve the absorption function. Particularly preferably, all channel walls of the air duct in the area of ​​the air supply chamber are designed to absorb ultraviolet radiation.

[0020] Preferably, at least one channel wall of the air duct in the area of ​​the air discharge chamber is designed to absorb ultraviolet radiation. This also results in the advantages already mentioned in connection with the light traps. Preferably, the channel wall is coated with or made of an ultraviolet-absorbing material to achieve the absorption function. Particularly preferably, all channel walls of the air duct in the area of ​​the air discharge chamber are designed to absorb ultraviolet radiation.

[0021] According to the invention, the air handling device has at least one air guide element that extends through the air duct in the region of the first light trap. An air guide element is understood to be an element that is present in addition to the duct walls and projects into the air duct. The provision of the air guide element improves the airflow in the region of the first light trap, resulting in a particularly uniform flow and minimizing pressure losses. Furthermore, the air guide element increases the number of surfaces that the ultraviolet radiation can strike in the region of the first light trap. Thus, the air guide element optimizes the blocking effect of the first light trap. Therefore, the air guide element extending through the air duct in the region of the first light trap is an integral part of the first light trap.According to the invention, the air handling device has several air guide elements that extend through the air duct in the region of the first light trap. Preferably, the air handling device has at least one air guide element that extends through the air duct in the region of the second light trap. This results in the advantages mentioned above with regard to the air guide element that extends through the air duct in the region of the first light trap. Particularly preferably, the air handling device has several air guide elements that extend through the air duct in the region of the second light trap. Preferably, the first light trap and the second light trap are designed to be mirror images of each other.

[0022] Preferably, at least one of the air guide elements is designed to absorb ultraviolet radiation. This further optimizes the blocking effect of the first or second light trap. Preferably, the air guide element is coated with or made of an ultraviolet-absorbing material to achieve this absorption function.

[0023] According to the invention, at least one of the air guide elements has a circular arc-shaped longitudinal section. This design of the air guide element results in a particularly uniform or laminar airflow. Preferably, the air guide element with the circular arc-shaped longitudinal section is designed as a circular arc profile. Alternatively, the air guide element with the circular arc-shaped longitudinal section is preferably manufactured from several individual pieces, such as straight sections or polygons.According to the invention, the air handling device comprises at least a first air guide element with a circular arc-shaped longitudinal section and a second air guide element with a circular arc-shaped longitudinal section, wherein the radius of the circular arc shape of the first air guide element is larger than the radius of the circular arc shape of the second air guide element, wherein the bulges of the circular arc shapes of the air guide elements point in the same direction, and wherein the second air guide element is arranged in a circular segment defined by the circular arc shape of the first air guide element and spaced apart from the first air guide element. This creates a flow path between the first and the second air guide element, which is particularly advantageous for a uniform airflow.Furthermore, ultraviolet radiation entering the flow path between the first and second air guide elements is reflected multiple times from one air guide element to the other. This increases the blocking effect of the light trap, of which the first and second air guide elements are components.

[0024] Preferably, the first and second air guide elements are arranged concentrically. This concentric arrangement results in the flow path formed between them having a constant cross-section in the flow direction. In the following, it is initially assumed that the first and second air elements are part of the first light trap. The concentric arrangement is particularly advantageous from a fluid dynamics perspective if the cross-section of the irradiation section corresponds at least substantially to the cross-section of the air supply chamber. However, if the first and second air guide elements are part of the second light trap, a corresponding fluid dynamics advantage arises if the cross-section of the irradiation section corresponds at least substantially to the cross-section of the air discharge chamber.

[0025] Preferably, the first and second air guide elements are arranged eccentrically relative to each other. This eccentric arrangement results in a change in the cross-section of the flow path formed between the first and second air guide elements in the direction of flow. From a fluid dynamics perspective, this eccentric arrangement is particularly advantageous when the cross-section of the irradiation section differs from the cross-section of the air supply chamber or the cross-section of the air discharge chamber. For example, if the height of the irradiation section is greater than the height of the air supply chamber, the first and second air guide elements, as components of the first light trap, are preferably arranged eccentrically relative to each other such that the cross-section of the flow path formed between the first and second air guide elements increases in the direction of flow.

[0026] Preferably, the air supply chamber, the irradiation section (or irradiation chamber), and the air exhaust chamber are arranged parallel to each other in the direction of airflow. The chambers are thus positioned side by side and fluidically connected in such a way that parallel airflow paths are formed through the chambers. This results in a space-saving and compact design for the air handling unit and also allows for good overall handling. Optionally, the air supply chamber, the irradiation chamber, and the air exhaust chamber are of the same length in the direction of airflow, or at least substantially the same length, thus providing a compact and stable design for the air handling unit.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the air handling unit is designed as a single unit or module. The features described above are integrated within this unit and can be handled together as a single unit, thus enabling, for example, easy assembly and advantageous transport of the device.

[0028] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the air handling unit is not designed as a single unit but as an air handling system constructed from individual modules. Each of the individual modules, for example, realizes a section of the air duct as described above in various embodiments. Thus, for instance, the air supply chamber, the air exhaust chamber, the irradiation chamber, the respective light trap, and the conveying device are each formed by a separate individual module, which are connected or connectable to one another directly or indirectly, i.e., by means of further fluidic and / or mechanical connections. This offers the advantage of a flexible design for the air handling unit, which can be installed in or on the interior of a building.This embodiment allows the installer, for example, to decide on-site how the individual modules should be arranged relative to each other to achieve the best possible effect for the room. According to a further embodiment of the invention, preferably at least two sections of the air duct, for example the air supply chamber and one light trap, or the irradiation chamber and both light traps, are formed in a single module.

[0029] The room according to the invention, with the features of claim 20, is characterized by at least one air handling unit as described above. This results in the advantages for the room already mentioned in connection with the air handling unit.

[0030] Preferably, the air handling unit is arranged in the room as a recirculating air unit in such a way that both the air inlet opening and the air outlet opening open into the room.

[0031] Further advantages and preferred features and combinations of features will become apparent in particular from the foregoing and from the claims. The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. These drawings show... Figure 1 shows an air handling unit in a perspective view, Figure 2 shows another perspective view of the air handling unit, Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the air handling unit, Figure 4 shows a sectional view of a section of an air duct of the air handling unit, and Figure 5 shows a sectional view of the section according to a further embodiment of the air handling unit.

[0032] Figure 1Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of an advantageous air handling device 1 in a perspective view. The air handling device 1 has a multi-part housing 2, the parts of which are configured to jointly define an air duct 3, which has an air inlet opening at one end and an air outlet opening at the other. The air handling device 1 also has an air conveying device 4 for conveying an airflow from the air inlet opening to the air outlet opening through the air duct 3. In this case, the air conveying device 4 is a cross-flow fan 4 arranged in the air duct 3.

[0033] Figure 2 shows another perspective view of the air handling unit 1. As seen from Figure 2 As can be seen, the air inlet opening 5 and the air outlet opening 6 are formed in an outlet plate 7, which is part of the multi-part housing 2.

[0034] According to the in the Figure 1 and 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the air handling unit 1 is designed to be installed as a recirculating air unit in a suspended ceiling of a room. When the air handling unit 1 is installed in the suspended ceiling, the outlet plate 7 is flush with the suspended ceiling of the intermediate ceiling, so that the air inlet opening 5 and the air outlet opening 6 open into the room. During operation of the air handling unit 1, or rather the air conveying device 4, room air is drawn into the air duct 3 through the air inlet opening 5. The drawn-in room air flows through the air duct 3 as an airflow and is finally expelled from the air duct 3 through the air outlet opening 6. Preferably, the air inlet opening 5, the air outlet opening 6, and the air conveying device 4 are designed such that the air handling unit 1 provides mixed ventilation in the room during operation.

[0035] Alternatively to the one in the Figure 1 and 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the air handling unit 1 is designed, for example, to be installed in a suspended floor of a room. According to another embodiment, the air handling unit 1 is designed to be arranged on a ceiling, floor, or wall / side wall of a room such that the air handling unit 1 is fluidically connected to the room and / or projects into the room. According to a further embodiment, the air handling unit 1 is designed to be installed as a stand-alone unit in a room. The inlet and outlet openings are designed and arranged differently in the aforementioned variants.

[0036] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the in the Figure 1 and 2The direction of flow of the air handling device 1 shown is shown by arrows 9. The direction of flow of the airflow from the air inlet opening 5 to the air outlet opening 6 through the air duct 3 is shown by arrows 9.

[0037] The air duct 3 has an irradiation section 10 or an irradiation chamber 10. The irradiation section 10 is cuboid in shape. The cuboid shape is defined by a length 1, a height h and a Figure 3 The width b, which is not visible, runs perpendicular to the height h and the length 1. The airflow in the irradiation section 10 flows in the longitudinal direction of the irradiation section 10. The cross-section of the irradiation section 10 is defined by the height h and the width b.

[0038] In the irradiation section 10, a radiation source 11 for providing ultraviolet radiation is arranged such that the airflow surrounds the radiation source 11 during operation of the air handling unit 1. Accordingly, the ultraviolet radiation provided by the radiation source 11 is emitted into the irradiation section 10. In this case, the radiation source 11 is a low-pressure UVC lamp 11. During operation of the air handling unit 1, pathogens such as viruses or bacteria contained in the airflow passing through the air duct 3 are inactivated by the ultraviolet radiation emitted into the irradiation section 10. Therefore, the air handling unit 1 can reduce the pathogen load in the room air.

[0039] The radiation source 11 is rod-shaped or elongated. The radiation source 11 is arranged in the irradiation section 10 such that its longitudinal axis is aligned with the width of the irradiation section 10. Therefore, the longitudinal axis of the radiation source 11 is perpendicular to the length of the irradiation section 10, i.e., perpendicular to the flow direction 9 within the irradiation section 10, and perpendicular to the height of the irradiation section 10. In this case, the longitudinal extent of the radiation source 11 corresponds at least substantially to the width b of the irradiation section 10. Therefore, the radiation source 11 emits ultraviolet radiation into the irradiation section 10 across its entire width b. The radiation source 11 is positioned centrally within the irradiation section 10 with respect to its height h.The design and arrangement of the radiation source 11 described above achieves an optimal, symmetrical distribution of ultraviolet radiation intensity in the irradiation section 10, which is advantageous for the inactivation of pathogens.

[0040] The air handling unit 1 also features an optional additional radiation source 11A for providing ultraviolet radiation. This additional radiation source 11A is also arranged in the air duct 3, or irradiation section 10, such that the airflow surrounds it during operation of the air handling unit 1. Thus, ultraviolet radiation provided by the additional radiation source 11A also radiates into the irradiation section 10. The inclusion of this additional radiation source 11A increases the efficiency with which any pathogens present in the airflow are inactivated. The additional radiation source 11A is also rod-shaped or elongated, and its longitudinal axis is aligned with the width of the irradiation section 10.The additional radiation source 11A is also arranged centrally within the irradiation section 10 with respect to its height h. With respect to the flow direction 9, the additional radiation source 11A is arranged downstream of the radiation source 11. According to further embodiments, other arrangements of the radiation sources 11 and 11A with respect to the height h and length of the irradiation section 10 are provided.

[0041] For example, the radiation sources 11, 11A are arranged vertically one above the other, i.e., at the same height when viewed in the direction of flow 9. Preferably, the distance of one of the radiation sources 11 or 11A from the channel wall 12 is one quarter of the height h of the irradiation section 10, and the distance of the other radiation source 11A or 11 from the channel wall 13 is one quarter of the height h of the irradiation section 10. According to a further embodiment, the additional radiation source 11A is omitted, so that only the radiation source 11 is present.

[0042] Irradiation section 10 is bounded by several channel walls. These are in Figure 3Only the channel walls 12 and 13, which define the vertical boundary of the irradiation section 10, are visible, but not the channel walls defining the horizontal boundary of the irradiation section 10. At least the channel walls 12 and 13 are designed to reflect ultraviolet radiation. For this purpose, the side 14 of the channel wall 12 facing the irradiation section 10 and the side 15 of the channel wall 13 facing the irradiation section 10 have a coating made of an ultraviolet-reflecting material. Due to the coating, ultraviolet radiation incident on sides 14 and 15 is reflected. This optimizes the radiation intensity distribution in the irradiation section 10. Alternatively, instead of the coating, the channel walls 12 and 13 are preferably made of an ultraviolet-reflecting material.

[0043] The air duct 3 also has a first light trap 16 arranged between the irradiation section 10 and the air inlet opening 5. The first light trap 16 is thus arranged upstream of the irradiation section 10. The first light trap 16 is designed to block the passage of ultraviolet radiation. In this respect, the first light trap 16 prevents ultraviolet radiation provided by the radiation source 11 from reaching the air inlet opening 5 and exiting the air duct 3 through the air inlet opening 5. The first light trap 16 therefore has a blocking effect on ultraviolet radiation.

[0044] A channel wall 17 of the channel 3, which bounds the first light trap 16, is curved such that the air channel 3 has a first bend 18 in the region of the first light trap 16. In this case, the bend is 180°. Accordingly, the airflow in the region of the first light trap 16 is deflected by 180°. The first bend 18 prevents direct emission of ultraviolet radiation through the air inlet opening 5. In this respect, the curved channel wall 17, due to the first bend 18, also forms the first light trap 16. The channel wall 17 is designed to absorb ultraviolet radiation. For this purpose, the channel wall 17 has a coating of an ultraviolet-absorbing material. When ultraviolet radiation strikes the channel wall 17, it is at least partially absorbed. Accordingly, at most a portion of the ultraviolet radiation striking the channel wall 17 is reflected.The ultraviolet radiation-absorbing coating of the channel wall 17 also contributes to the blocking effect of the first light trap 16.

[0045] The first light trap 16 also has several, in this case two, air guide elements 19 arranged in the air duct 3, each having a circular arc-shaped longitudinal section. The air guide elements 19 optimize the guidance of the airflow with regard to a flow that is as uniform and as low in turbulence as possible in the area of ​​the first light trap 16. The air guide elements 19 also have a coating made of an ultraviolet radiation-absorbing material and are thus designed to absorb ultraviolet radiation. The air guide elements 19, or rather the ultraviolet radiation-absorbing coating of the air guide elements 19, therefore also contribute to the blocking effect of the first light trap 16. The shape and arrangement of the air guide elements 19 will be described later with reference to the Figure 4 and 5 explained in more detail.

[0046] The air duct 3 also has an air supply chamber 20 arranged between the first light trap 16 and the air inlet opening 5. The air supply chamber 20 is thus located upstream of the first light trap 16. Accordingly, air entering the air duct 3 through the air inlet opening 5 first passes into the air supply chamber 20. The air supply chamber 20 ensures a uniform flow of air into the first light trap 16. The air supply chamber 20 is bounded vertically by the outlet plate 7 on one side and by the duct wall 13 on the other. The side 21 of the duct wall 13 facing the air supply chamber 20 and the side 22 of the outlet plate 7 facing the air supply chamber 20 are designed to absorb ultraviolet radiation. These pages 21 and 22 also have a coating made of an ultraviolet radiation-absorbing material.

[0047] The air duct 3 also has a second light trap 23 arranged between the irradiation section 10 and the air outlet opening 6. The second light trap 23 is thus arranged downstream of the irradiation section 10. The second light trap 23 is essentially identical in design to the first light trap 16. In this respect, the air duct 3 has a duct wall 24 bounding the second light trap 23, which is curved such that the air duct 3 has a second bend 25 in the region of the second light trap 23. Furthermore, the second light trap 23 also has several air guide elements 26 arranged in the air duct 3, each having a circular arc-shaped longitudinal section. The duct wall 24 and the air guide elements 26 also have a coating of an ultraviolet radiation-absorbing material. Preferably, the first light trap 16 and the second light trap 23 are mirror images of each other.

[0048] The air duct 3 also has an air discharge chamber 27 located between the second light trap 23 and the air outlet opening 6. The air discharge chamber 27 is thus located downstream of the second light trap 23. Accordingly, air exiting the second light trap 23 first enters the air discharge chamber 27. The provision of the air discharge chamber 27 ensures a uniform discharge of the airflow from the irradiation chamber 10 and from the second light trap 23. The air discharge chamber 27 is bounded vertically on one side by the duct wall 12 and on the other side by a duct wall 28. The side 29 of the duct wall 12 facing the air discharge chamber 27 and the side 30 of the duct wall 28 facing the air discharge chamber 27 are designed to absorb ultraviolet radiation. For this purpose, these sides 29 and 30 also have a coating of an ultraviolet-absorbing material.

[0049] The air supply chamber 20, the first light trap 16, and the irradiation section 10 are jointly designed in a C-shape. This results in a particularly compact design of the air handling unit 1. This is primarily due to the fact that the irradiation section 10 and the air supply chamber 20 are bounded by a common channel wall, namely the channel wall 13. One side 15 of the channel wall 13 borders the irradiation section 10, and the other side 21 of the channel wall 13 borders the air supply chamber 20.

[0050] The irradiation section 10, the second light trap 23, and the air extraction chamber 27 are all C-shaped. This also contributes to a particularly compact design of the air handling unit 1. This is primarily due to the fact that the irradiation section 10 and the air extraction chamber 27 are bounded by a common channel wall, namely the channel wall 12. One side 14 of the channel wall 12 borders the irradiation section 10, and the other side 29 of the channel wall 12 borders the air extraction chamber 27.

[0051] Due to the C-shaped design of the air supply chamber 20, the first light trap 16 and the irradiation section 10, as well as the C-shaped design of the irradiation section 10, the second light trap 23 and the air discharge chamber 27, these sections of the air duct 3 are jointly S-shaped.

[0052] In Figure 4Two further sectional views of the air handling unit 1 are shown. The left sectional view A shows the direction of airflow 9 in the area of ​​the first light trap 16. The right sectional view B shows, by way of example, the path of supplied ultraviolet radiation in the area of ​​the first light trap 16.

[0053] The in Figure 4 The depicted air handling unit 1 differs from the one shown in Figure 3 The depicted air handling unit 1 with regard to the number of air guide elements 19. The in Figure 4 The device 1 shown has four air guide elements 19, namely a first air guide element 19A, a second air guide element 19B, a third air guide element 19C and a fourth air guide element 19D.

[0054] The air guide elements 19 each have a longitudinal section shaped like a circular arc. The arc shapes of the air guide elements 19 have the same angle, namely an angle of 180°. The radius of the arc shape of the first air guide element 19A is larger than the radius of the arc shape of the second air guide element 19B. The radius of the arc shape of the second air guide element 19B is larger than the radius of the arc shape of the third air guide element 19C. The radius of the arc shape of the third air guide element 19C is larger than the radius of the arc shape of the fourth air guide element 19D.

[0055] The air guide elements 19 are aligned or arranged such that the protrusions 31A, 31B, 31C and 31D of the circular arc shapes of the air guide elements 19 point in the same direction.

[0056] The circular arc shape of the first air guide element 19A defines a first circular segment. The second air guide element 19B is spaced apart from the first air guide element 19A and arranged within the first circular segment. The circular arc shape of the second air guide element 19B defines a second circular segment. The third air guide element 19C is spaced apart from the second air guide element 19B and arranged within the second circular segment. The circular arc shape of the third air guide element 19C defines a third circular segment. The fourth air guide element 19D is spaced apart from the third air guide element 19C and arranged within the third circular segment.

[0057] Preferably, the air guide elements 19 are arranged or designed such that the first ends 32 of the air guide elements 19 facing the radiation source 11 are at the same height when viewed in the direction of flow 9. Preferably, the air guide elements 19 are also arranged or designed such that the second ends 33 of the air guide elements 19 facing away from the radiation source 11 are at the same height when viewed in the direction of flow 9.

[0058] Due to the arrangement or design of the air guide elements 19, a flow path 34 for the airflow is formed between two adjacent air guide elements 19 and between the first air guide element 19A and the channel wall 17.

[0059] According to the in Figure 4In the illustrated embodiment, the height h of the irradiation section 10 corresponds at least substantially to the height h' of the air supply chamber 20. In order to achieve the most uniform possible flow through the first light trap 16 in this case, the air guide elements 19 are arranged concentrically. This results in each of the flow paths 34 having a constant cross-section in the flow direction 9.

[0060] The following section, with reference to the right-hand cross-sectional view B, explains the path of ultraviolet radiation in the region of the first light trap 16. When ultraviolet radiation enters one of the flow paths 34, it is reflected multiple times between the air guide elements that define the flow path. Due to the coating of the air guide elements 19, the intensity of the ultraviolet radiation decreases with each impact on one of the air guide elements 19. For example, if ultraviolet radiation enters the flow path 34 formed between the first air guide element 19A and the second air guide element 19B according to the radiation path 35, the ultraviolet radiation first strikes the first air guide element 19A at a point P1. Here, the ultraviolet radiation is partially absorbed, so that only a portion of the ultraviolet radiation is reflected back towards the second air guide element 19B.This portion encounters the second air guide element 19B at point P2, where the incident ultraviolet radiation is again partially absorbed. The number of reflections that the ultraviolet radiation undergoes while passing through one of the flow paths 34 is defined in particular by the width of the flow path 34 or the distance between the air guide elements 19 that define the flow path 34. The smaller the width of the flow path or the distance between the air guide elements 19, the greater the number of reflections.

[0061] In Figure 5 Two sectional views of the air handling unit 1 according to a further embodiment are shown. The left sectional view C shows the flow direction 9 of the airflow in the area of ​​the first light trap 16. The right sectional view D shows, by way of example, the path of ultraviolet radiation in the area of ​​the first light trap 16.

[0062] According to the in Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, the height h of the irradiation section 10 differs from the height h' of the air supply chamber 20. In this case, the height h is greater than the height h'. To achieve the most uniform possible flow through the first light trap 16, the air guide elements 19 are arranged eccentrically such that the distance between the first ends 32 of two adjacent air guide elements 19 is greater than the distance between the second ends 33 of the same air guide elements 19. This results in an increase in the cross-section of the flow paths 34 in the flow direction 9. The air handling device 1 described here is therefore a particularly easy-to-handle and easy-to-assemble unit, which is enclosed and designed in particular by the housing 2.

[0063] According to an alternative embodiment – ​​not shown here – the device 1 is assembled as an air handling unit from several individual modules, each module comprising one or more of the above-described features such as a light trap, an irradiation chamber, an air supply or exhaust chamber, or an air conveying device. The individual modules can be directly connected to one another fluidically and mechanically, or with the aid of further intermediate modules or parts, through which two consecutive individual modules in the flow direction are connected. This allows, for example, the installer to arrange and connect the individual modules in a suitable manner on-site during assembly.

Claims

1. Ventilation device (1) for a premise in a building, with an air channel (3) which comprises an air inlet opening (5) at one end and an air outlet opening (6) at another end, with an air conveying device (4) for conveying an air flow guided from the air inlet opening (5) to the air outlet opening (6) through the air channel (3), and with at least one radiation source (11) for providing ultraviolet radiation, wherein the radiation source (11) is assigned to the air channel (3) in such a way that the ultraviolet radiation provided by the radiation source (11) radiates into a radiation section (10) of the air channel (3), wherein the air channel (3) comprises a first light trap (16) between the radiation section (10) and the air inlet opening (5) for blocking or reducing the expansion of ultraviolet radiation, wherein the air channel (3) comprises a second light trap (23) between the radiation section (10) and the air outlet opening (6) for blocking or reducing the expansion of ultraviolet radiation, wherein the air channel (3) comprises a first bend (18) to form the first light trap (16), and wherein the air channel (3) comprises a second bend (25) to form the second light trap (23), characterised by at least a first air guide element (19,19A) with a circular arc-shaped longitudinal section and a second air guide element (19,19B) with a circular arc-shaped longitudinal section, wherein the air guide elements (19,19A,19B) extend through the air channel (3) in the region of the first light trap (16), wherein the radius of the circular arc shape of the first air guide element (19,19A) is greater than the radius of the circular arc shape of the second air guide element (19,19B), wherein the bulges (31A,31B) of the circular arc shapes of the air guide elements (19,19A,19B) point in the same direction, wherein the second air guide element (19,19B) is arranged in a circular segment defined by the circular arc shape of the first air guide element (19,19A) and spaced apart from the first air guide element (19,19A), and wherein the circular arc shapes of the air guide elements (19,19A,19B) and the first bend (18) and the second bend (25) each comprise an angle of 180°.

2. Ventilation device according to claim 1, characterised in that the radiation source (11) is designed as a low-pressure UVC lamp (11).

3. Ventilation device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the radiation source (11) is arranged in the air channel (3) in such a way that the radiation source (11) is surrounded by the air flow.

4. Ventilation device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the radiation source (11) is designed in the form of a rod.

5. Ventilation device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the radiation source (11) is arranged such that a longitudinal central axis of the radiation source (11) is aligned perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the radiation section (10).

6. Ventilation device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised by at least one further radiation source (11A) for providing ultraviolet radiation, wherein the further radiation source (11A) is assigned to the air channel (3) in such a way that ultraviolet radiation provided by the further radiation source (11A) radiates into the radiation section (10).

7. Ventilation device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one channel wall (12,13) of the air channel (3) in the radiation section (10), preferably all channel walls (12,13) of the air channel (3) in the radiation section (10), is / are configured to reflect ultraviolet radiation.

8. Ventilation device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one channel wall (17,24) of the air channel (3) in the region of the first light trap (16) and / or in the region of the second light trap (23), preferably all channel walls (17,24) of the air channel (3) in the area of the first light trap (16) and / or in the area of the second light trap (23), is / are configured to absorb ultraviolet radiation.

9. Ventilation device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the air channel (3) comprises an air feed chamber (20) between the air inlet opening (5) and the first light trap (16), and / or that the air channel (3) comprises an air removal chamber (27) between the air outlet opening (6) and the second light trap (23).

10. Ventilation device according to claim 9, characterised in that at least one channel wall (13,7) of the air channel (3) in the region of the air feed chamber (20), preferably all channel walls (13,7) of the air channel (3) in the region of the air feed chamber (20), is / are configured to absorb ultraviolet radiation.

11. Ventilation device according to any one of claims 9 and 10, characterised in that at least one channel wall (12,28) of the air channel (3) in the region of the air removal chamber (27), preferably all channel walls (12,28) of the air channel (3) in the region of the air removal chamber (27), is / are configured to absorb ultraviolet radiation.

12. Ventilation device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised by at least one air guide element (26) extending through the air channel (3) in the region of the second light trap (23).

13. Ventilation device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the air guide element (19,26) is configured to absorb ultraviolet radiation.

14. Ventilation device according to claim 12, characterised in that the air guide element (26) comprises a circular arc-shaped longitudinal section.

15. Ventilation device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first air guide element (19A) and the second air guide element (19B) are arranged concentrically with respect to each other.

16. Ventilation device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first air guide element (19A) and the second air guide element (19B) are arranged eccentrically with respect to each other.

17. Ventilation device according to claim 9, characterised in that the air feed chamber (20), the radiation section (10), and the air removal chamber (27) are arranged parallel with respect to each other in the flow direction.

18. Ventilation device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the ventilation device (1) overall is configured as a construction unit.

19. Ventilation device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised by its configuration as a ventilation unit constructed from individual modules.

20. Premise of a building, characterised by a ventilation device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 19.